SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 9 Equality: enforcement of duties

Complaints

10

(1)

If the Commission receives a complaint made in accordance with this paragraph of failure by a public authority to comply with a scheme approved or made under paragraph 6 or 7, it shall—

(a)

investigate the complaint; or

(b)

give the complainant reasons for not investigating.

(2)

A complaint must be made in writing by a person who claims to have been directly affected by the failure.

(3)

A complaint must be sent to the Commission during the period of 12 months starting with the day on which the complainant first knew of the matters alleged.

(4)

Before making a complaint the complainant must—

(a)

bring the complaint to the notice of the public authority; and

(b)

give the public authority a reasonable opportunity to respond.